Chess Puzzle #CIWAS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e2; rooks f1/f4; pawns a2/d4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks c1/c3; pawns a7/b6/d5/f6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook c3→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg4 (queen e6→g4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxg4+ — rook f4→g4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Rxc1 — rook f1→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, master. The key move Rxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4p2/1p2qp1p/3p4/3P1R2/2r1P2P/P3Q1PK/2r2R2 b - - 5 34

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